Christopher Redding CDR NC USN has emailed me and requested our help with the following:
I recently came in contact with Mrs. Willis (88?) while trying to verify the authenticity of some historical artifacts. She was very difficult to understand, but I believe her husband's Medal of Honor was lost in a fire?
It was replaced sometime later? Can anyone shed light on the origins of the replacement medal? Is it authentic or a replica? I'm just doing background right now, but if is in fact a replica, I was going to assist her in getting a replacement from the Navy awards board.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Please email me at christopher.reddin@med.navy.mil.
Thanks!
Chris
Marc Arsenault
New port Dealeys
Newport Dealeys
2008 Reunion, Nashville TN
On Sept 25-28, 2008, we held our tenth annual Newport Dealeys reunion at the Holiday Inn Opryland in Nashville TN. Again it was an overwhelming success with departing comments such as “the best ever”. We had 122 shipmates and guest with Mrs. John H. Willis in attendance for the ninth year. As in previous years, I arrived on Wednesday to rest up a bit after the long drive from Massachusetts and to socialize with other early arrivals. Thursday noon Military Locators, our reunion organizers, began the reunion registration followed by a welcome reception and an evening of reuniting old friends and introducing new ones.
Our Friday daytime activities took us on a bus tour of Nashville and a visit to the Ryman Auditorium (the Grand Old Opry’s original Home) Then after a stop at the Hermitage Smorgasbord for lunch, which included a wonderful talk by the restaurant’s owner Margit Prosser.She shared her experiences of her younger years growing up in a Hitler Nazi dominated Czechoslovakia during WW ll, and as a teenager, how she came to the United States aboard a transport ship with returning GIs and then started in the restaurant business. We concluded the day with another stop, a tour of the Opryland Hotel, a 40 acre complex of guestrooms, restaurants and shops including two large glass atriums, rolling streams and waterfalls.
This year, due to the scheduled visit to the Grand Old Opry on Saturday night, we held our banquet on Friday. We started the evening with entry of the Newport Dealeys Honor Guard and the presentation of our recently designed Newport Dealeys flag followed by our traditional welcome remarks, introductions, the invocation, missing man ceremony and dinner.
Later, I addressed the audience and by first reviewing the Newport Dealeys origin and accomplishments of the past ten years and acknowledged Jerry Skorch for his design of our Newport Dealeys Insignia and new flag. After a short book report on Admiral Roy Hoffmann’s new book “This Is Latch”, Admiral Hoffmann spoke on his latest project which consists of providing financial assistance to disabled veterans who have lost limbs in combat and are now in the process of recovery.
The John Willis shipmates presented Mrs. Willis with a birthday cake in honor of her upcoming 88th birthday. Mrs. Willis then addressed us with thanks and revealed that because of her deteriorating health, this will most likely be her last reunion attendance. Her announcement was received with sadness but led to a standing ovation when she said she loved us all and we will always be “Her boys”.
Our memorial service was conducted by the shipmates of the USS Dealey, which began with a reading of the Medal of Honor Citation of Samuel Dealey followed by a reading and bell ringing for deceased shipmates. The service has been traditionally reserved for Sunday Morning; however, it seemed to fit very nicely into our banquet program and will most likely remain with a different ship hosting each year.
Our door prize raffle this year included some more substantial gifts, thanks to the generous donations from our “passing the hat” at the Philadelphia 2007 reunion. The top prizes of a brass Navy bell and a nautical desk clock were won by Kathy Hoover and Lee Legg.
On Saturday afternoon, Mrs. Willis graciously hosted a party for us which include a light lunch. An unscheduled visit by a local military group including a Military Honor Guard and Bagpiper was led by Reverend Simmons Robichaux known as “The Rev” who presented Mrs. Willis with an autographed copy of the Iwo Jima flag raising.
Saturday evening at the Grand Old Opry was over the top. The show is a live production. The first hour was the radio show and the second was a live television show including Keith Urban, Jimmy Dickens, Jeannie Seely, Marty Stuart and Ricky Skaggs. This wonderful experience was one we’ll never forget and left us with wanting more. On our return to the hotel, we were greeted by a delightful late evening lunch.
We sadly departed on Sunday morning after another great Holiday Inn Opryland breakfast.
Our next annual reunion will be held in Norfolk VA on Sept.24-27, 2009 with Jerry Skorch (USS Joseph K Taussig) as Chairman.
The shipmates in attendance selected Mobile AL for our 2010 with Ron Bauer (USS Cromwell) as Chairman.
Marc Arsenault
Newport Dealeys
2008 Reunion Chairman
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